Sunday, August 9, 2009

Clear-Channel Frequencies of the Past

I have always been interested, when I was growing up, in the old clear-channel AM frequencies of the Cold War era. KAAY's 1090 frequency fell in the region of those channels. Such frequencies included 540, 640-780, 800-900, 940, 990-1140, 1160-1220, and 1500-1580. In recent years, lower-powered stations have been allowed to broadcast on these frequencies as well, creating the potential for increased interference to an otherwise clearly-heard station, nationwide.

There were also the so-called "graveyard channels" of 1230, 1240, 1340, 1400, 1450 and 1490, where only up to 1000 watts could be used, but were heard at long distances at night.

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/radio/monitoring/am-fm-dxing/

Anyone remember the old Conelrad receivers? These mainly monitored 640 and 1240 kHz and could monitor several other switch-selected frequencies. I have several antique and classic AM/shortwave receievers that have the "CD" triangles marking the dial spots. Here is an excellent article on a Conelrad Conaler II receiver/monitor, with pictures:

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~postr/bapix/Conalert.htm

Does anyone else remember these, and do you have any strange transmissions, radio tests or recorded audio to relate and share, please?

KAAY participated in propaganda broadcasts to Cuba, during the Cuban Missle Crisis. Wikipedia also lists WCKY doing this, as well, and A. J.'s blog listed WLS, too. Does anyone else know of other stations that broadcasted propaganda to Cuba, on mediumwave, during this era, please?

All comments welcome!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

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